Automatic signaling apparatus



Jan. 23, 1940. H. E. MARSH ET AL. 2,188,055

AUTOMATIC SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llllll llll 3 V I INVENTORS.

' f/OM/QD 5 Wes/7 H. E. MARSH ET 'AL AUTOMATIC SIGNALING APPAR'ATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEJVTORJ. flown/e0 5 MARSH By GAE/x4 5/771 Patented Jsn.'23, 1940 UNlTED STATES 2,188,055 AUTOMATIC SIGNALING ArrAnArus Howard E. Marsh and Glen Smith,

Venm Calif.

Application August 6, 1938, Serial No. 223,491

20 Claims.

Our invention relates to an automatic signal.- ing apparatus, and more particularly to a burglar and fire alarm, -or similar apparatus.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a signaling apparatus of this class which is particularly simple and economical of construction, simple and economical to operate, and

. which will-not readily get out of order.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of this class which may be simply and economically attached to a con- .ventional or other telephone, or into which a conventional telephone may be readily placed and thereby the apparatus connected to the telephone.

An important object of this invention also is the provision of a novel means of operating the telephone dial to call a predetermined number, or to call any one of several numbers.

A novel feature also of this invention is the provision of a compact and coordinated structure for calling different numbers and sending different .messages over the telephone to the called numbers.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, we have devised an automatic signaling apparatus for giving burglar and fire alarms having certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanymg drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, which form a part of this application.

5 in which: 7

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of our automatic signaling apparatus, arranged particularly for giving burglar and fire alarms, certain portions of the apparatus and enclosure being broken away and in section to facilitate the i1- lustration; Q Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view thereof; and,

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram therefor. I Our signaling apparatus may be used in connection with the conventional telephone, or in connection with an additional special telephone instrument connected in the system. We shall describe our invention as applied to the former.

If used in connection with an additional special instrument no particular connection or adjustment need be made, but if used with the con ventional telephone, the latter must be placed in a particular enclosure. This enclosure, whether used with either telephone, is designated I. The apparatus disclosed is designed particularly to serve as a burglar alarmand a fire alarm. In the drawings, the burglar alarm is actuated by the closing of a circuit, such as by closing one or more switches II when a window or windows l2, or other openings are opened. The fire 5 alarmis actuated also by the closing of another circuit by a switch or switches i3 connected to and actuaed directly by thermostats located in various parts of a residence or building.

In the enclosure I is amotor mechanism, op- 10 erated by a motor 2|, which is preferably a spring actuated motor and is adapted, when released, to perform preferably three functions, namely, (1) to lift the telephone receiver, (2) to call a certain telephone number, and (3) to deliver a 15 prescribed message.

The motor is shown as having a main actuating spring 22 and drive gears 23 and 24, the surface speed of'the latter being considerably less than the former. The gear 23 is adapted to operate the phonograph records while the gear 24 is adapted to operate the telephone-numbercalling cams, to be described hereafter.

A tubular shaft ,3l rises vertically from the motor. mechanism 2| and supports a cam disc 32 at its upper end. The lower end has a gear 33 which is connected by an intermediate gear 34 to the gear 24. In the structure shown the disc 32 is provided at its upper and lower sides with separate series A and B of cam surfaces 35 36. The cam surfaces of each series consist of slightly spiral ridges, extending respectively above and below the-disc. These ridges are of varying length, the length corresponding to the number on the dial 2 of the telephone instru- 35 ment 3, the inner ends terminating preferably at /in which the arms 40 and 4| engage respectively the cam surfaces 35 and 33 by electromagnets 42 and 43. These electromagnets are located in cir- 5o cults, closed by the switches VII and I3, respectively. The shoe is held in'its lower and upper shifted positions by a suitable catch 44.

As the cam carrying disc 32 is rotated in the.

direction of the arrow, the first cam surface 35 55 and Q different messages to the telephone transmitter" engages the roller at the free end of the rider M, rotating the spindle 31 and rotating the telephone dial member 2* the desired amount, as the disc 32 continues to rotate, the amount of rotation of the dial depending upon the length of the cam surface. As the rider is moved to the outer [end of the cam surface 35,. it drops therefrom and engages the following camsurface 35 the rider being forced against the following cam surface by the spring (not shown) controlling the telephone dial. This operation is repeated until ,all of the cam surfaces engage and rotate the rider 30. The amount of rotation of the telephone dial is always dependent upon the length of the particular cam surface.

The dial of the conventional telephone con,

sists of a stationary portion 2, on which the numbers of the telephone are inscribed, and a rotatable member 2 having finger holes through which the numbers may be seen, and whereby the member 2 may be rotated. We have provided means of rotating the member 2 which consists of asheave 45 which is arranged coaxial with the memberz and is detachably held in such position by three fingers 36, in the form of spring clips which extend into different finger holes in the rotatable dial member 2. Around this sheave extends a flexible member or cable 61 which is connected to the free end of the arm 38. Thus, as the spindle 31 is oscillated by the cam surfaces 35 or 38, dial member of the telephone is also oscillated through arcs depending upon the length of the cam surfaces.

trolled by the switches H 'either oi the switches H or I3 are closed, the magnet 52 is excited, withdrawing the bolt 5!, and allowing the motor mechanism to rotate the cam carrying disc.

The telephone systems are so arranged that a telephone number may not be called until a cgrgain connection is made" or switch actua e which may be provided at one end of a rocking lever 62. The opposite free end 62 has a roller 62 which rides on a track 32' at the peripheryof the disc. 32. As the disc islrele'ased, the lever 62 is oscillated raising the receiver 5 from the telephone. The arms' or cam riders and 4] are so arranged that the disc 32 rotates slightly before the cam surfaces 35 or 36 engage and shift their respective arms 40 and 4|,so that the telephone control switch 4 is first closedl F In our apparatus we have provided separate phonograph records C and D for transmitting when the respective switches II and iii are closed, that is, in the case of either burglary or fire. These records are supported respectively on superimposed turntables H and 12, which are supported at the upper ends of concentric spindles l3 and H. The spindle" is tubular and extends through the spindle 3|, and is provided at its lower end with a rotating gear 16. The spindle 13 extends through the spindle H and is provided at its lower end with an operating gear 15. The gears 15 and are rotated by extent of 360 and I3. That is, if

gears 717 and 18 through the axial portions of which freely extends a spindle 79. On the spindle I9 is also loosely mounted an operating gear 80 which meshes with the drive gear 23. The spindle 19 has at its upper end a clutch 19, which is normally held in a disengaged position with respect to the gear 80 by a spring 8:. At the underside of the gear 33 is provided a circular cam 33, which is preferably of an arcuate less than the arcuate extent of the cam surfaces on the disc 32, but is positioned at the substantially diametrically opposite side from said cam surfaces. After the last cam surface of a particular series has engaged and oscillated the rider shoe 39, the cam 33 will have rotated so that the cam 33 engages the clutch 79 and forces the same against the operating gear 80 and thereby rotating the spindle 79. The gears 17 and 3B are positively connected to the spindle is by a sliding clutch 8! having clutch portions 81, adapted to engage the gear J1, and a clutch portion 8| adapted to engage electromagnet 83. The electromagnets t2 and 83 are located in the same circuits as the magnets 42 and M respectively, and the switches H and I3, respectively.

Thus, when the switch II is closed, theelectromagnet 42 is energized drawing the rider 40 into the path of the series A of the cam surfaces, and simultaneously energizing the magnet 82, connecting the gear 75 to the motor and rotating the turntable 7| carrying the record C, however, after all of the cam surfaces of the series A have performed their functions.

Above each of the records C and D are mounted sound reproducers 9| and 92 which are connected to a; unitary sound horn 93 which extends to the transmitter of the telephone.

It will, of course, able sound reproducer may connect any suitable record to the transmitter of the telephone.

When a conventional telephone is used, it is merely placed in the sound proof enclosure l, with the'sheave on the dial member 2 and the opening of the sound horn 93 over the transmitter.

Though we have shown and described a particular construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, we do not wish tobe understood that any suit- 1. In a signaling apparatus-a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave secured coaxially thereto, a cam having a cam surface corresponding to a number on the dial, a motor for operating the same, a rider normally held against the gam surface, and a flexible member connected to the rider and extending around the sheave.

2. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave secured coaxially thereto,

a cam having cam surfaces corresponding to numbers on the dial, a motor for operating the same, a rider normally held against the cam surfaces, and a flexible member connected to the rider and extending around the sheave.

3. In a signaling attachment for a telephone having a rotatable dial, a sheave detachably securable to and coaxial with the dial, a cam having a cam surface corresponding to a number on the dial, a motor for operating the same, a rider normally held against the cam surface, and a flexible member connected to the rider and extending around the sheave.

4. In a signaling attachment for a telephone having a rotatable dial, a sheave detachably securable to and coaxial with the dial, a cam having cam surfaces corresponding to numbers on the dial, a motor for operating the same, a rider normally held against the cam surfaces, and a cam means having a plurality of series of cam surfaces, each surface correspondin to a number on the dial, means for operating the cam means, separate riders, one adapted to ride upon the cam surfaces of each series, means for shifting one rider into the path of the cam surfaces of one series, and a flexible member connected to the riders and extending around the sheave.

'7. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave secured coaxially thereto, operating means having a plurality of series of operating devices, each of the operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, means for operating the operating means, and means operatively connecting one of said series of cam surfaces to cooperate with said sheave.

8. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave secured coaxially thereto, operating means having a plurality ofseries of operating devices, each of the operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, a motor for operating the operating means, a plurality of connecting means, one adapted to be connected ,to the devices of one series, means for shifting one of the connecting means into the path'of one series of operating devices, and a flexible member connected to the connecting means and extending around the sheave.

9. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave secured coaxially thereto, operating means having a plurality of series of operating devices, each of the operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, a motor for operating the operating means, a plurality of connecting means, one adapted to be connected to the devices of one series, means for shifting one of the connecting means into the path of one series of operating devices, a flexible member connected to the connecting means and extending around the sheave, and a plurality of initiating means, each corresponding to a series of operating devices, and each simultaneously releasing the motor and operating the shifting means for shifting a connecting means to coopeflrate with its respective. series of operating deces.

10. In a signaling means, a rotatable telephone dial, operating means having a plurality of series of operating devices, each of the operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, a motor for operating the operating means, a plurality of connecting means operatively connected to the dial, one adapted to be connected to the devices of one series, means for shifting one of the connecting means into the path of one series of operating devices, and a plurality of initiating means, each corresponding to a series of operating devices, and each simultaneously releasing the motor and operating the shifting means for shifting a connecting means to cooperate with its respective series of operating devices.

11. In a signaling means, a rotatable telephone dial, operating means having a plurality of series of operating devices, each of. the operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, a

,motor for operating the operating means, a plurality of connecting means operatively connected to the dial, one adapted to be connected to the devices of one series, a plurality of sound reproducers, one for each series of operating devices, means for shifting one of the connectin means into the path of one series of operating devices and for shifting into operative position the corresponding sound reproducer, and aplurality of initiating means, each corresponding to a series of operating devices, and each simultaneously releasing the motor. and operating the shifting means for shifting a connecting means to cooperate with its respective series of operating devices and for shifting the corresponding sound reproducers.

12. In a signalling means, a rotatable telephone dial, operating means having a plurality of series of operating devices, each of the operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, a

motor for operating the operating means, a plurality of connecting means operatively connected to the dial, one adapted to be connected to the devices of one series, a plurality of sound reproducers, one for each series of operating devices, means for shifting one of the connecting means into the path of one series of operating devices and for shifting into operative position the corresponding sound reproducer, a plurality of initiating means, each corresponding to a series'of operating devices, and each simultaneously releasing the motor, and operating the shifting means for shifting a connecting means to cooperate with its respective series of operating devices and for shifting the corresponding sound reproducers, and means for connecting the sound reproducers to the motor after initial operation of w the dial.

13. In a signaling apparatus, the combination with a telephone having a connecting switch, and also having a transmltte a plurality of sound reproducers. unitary means for operating the sound reproducers. clutch means for connecting each sound reproducer separately with said operating means, a plurality of initiating means, one corresponding to each sound reproducer, each initiating means separately switch and operating said clutch means for conmecting the respective sound reproducer with the operating means. 7 i

14. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave operatively connected to the dial, a cam having a cam surface corresponding to a number on the dial, a motor for operating the same, a rider normally held against the cam surface, and a flexible member connected to the rider and extending argnnd the sheave.

15. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave operatively connected to the dial, a cam having cam surfaces corresponding to number-son the dial, a motor for operating closing said surfaces, and a flexible member connected to rider and extending around the sheave.

16. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave operatively connected to the dial, a cam means having a plurality of series of cam surfaces, each number on the dial, means for operating the cam means, and means operatively connecting one of said series of cam surfacesto cooperate with said sheave.

17. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheaveoperatively connected to the dial, a cam means having a plurality of series of cam surfaces, each surface corresponding to a the number on the dial, means for operating the cam means, separate riders, one adapted to ride upon the cam surfaces of each series, means. for shifting one rider into the path of the cam surfaces of one series, and a flexible member connected to the riders and extending around the sheave.

18. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave operativelyconnected to the dial, operating means having a plurality of series of operating devices; each of the operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, means for operating the operating means, and means operatively connecting one .of said series to cooperate with said sheave.

19. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave operatively connected to the surface corresponding to a,

dial, operating means having a plurality 01 series of operating devices, each ofthe operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, a motor for operating the operating means, a plurality of connecting means, one adapted to be connected to the devices of one series, means for shifting one of the path of one series of operating devices, and a flexible member connected to the connecting means and extending around the sheave.

20. In a signaling apparatus, a rotatable telephone dial, a sheave operatively connected to the dial, operating means having a plurality of series of operating devices, each of the operating devices corresponding to a number on the dial, a motor for operating the operating means, a plurality of connecting means, one adapted to be connected to the devices of one series, means for shifting one of the connecting means into the path of one series of operating devices, a flexible member connected to the connecting means and extending around the sheave, and a plurality of initiating means, each corresponding to a series.

of operating devices, and each simultaneously releasing the motor and operating the shifting 25' 7 means for shifting a connecting means to cooperate with its re pective series of operating devices.

HOWARD E. MARSH. GLEN SMITH.

connecting means into the 

